Travis Turns Six

Travis turned six this year. He started kindergarten this year and then turned six only a few weeks into the year.  When both Westley and Caleb turned six, they were allowed to have a birthday party.  I asked Travis if he wanted a birthday party too and he did, but then I saw that the circus was going to be in town the weekend of his birthday and found a coupon for discount tickets.  So I asked him to choose between having a birthday party or going as a family to the circus and he chose the circus. 

Travis was the star student on his birthday at school.  I got to come read the class a book and pass out treats.

We made circus waffles for breakfast on the day we went to the circus.

Travis got to pick a souvenir as one of his birthday gifts and he chose this light-up sword, that only lasted for two more days before one of the other kids broke it in half :(

The kids in front of a circus poster.  We all really enjoyed the circus, even Jonah was enthralled.

On the Sunday of Travis' birthday, we drove up the canyon to see the fall colors.

Travis chose a dragon for  his birthday cake

Blowing out the candles

Father-Sons Camping

This year, the Father-Sons campout was supposed to be a stake event and was put off until September. Then, the day before the campout was supposed to take place, we got word that it was canceled, due to "scheduling conflicts". Nevermind that our ward had it on the calendar for a good month in advance and I can't figure out for the life of me why our ward backed out due to "scheduling conflicts" but whatever. Because Corey went to the pains of taking Friday off and not working until Saturday night, something he isn't always able to do very easily, I took it upon myself to find a place for them to camp anyway. I found a place up Little Cottonwood Canyon that they could go to without a reservation and helped him get everything ready so that as soon as the boys got home from school, they could go. They went and had a great time and I'm glad they were still able to go!

Getting the fire going for the hobo dinners

the tent in a grove of trees

the hobo dinners (which looked so good as I was making them for the boys that I wished I  had set aside some of the food and cooked them in the oven for Eliza and me, but alas I didn't think of that until they had already left to go up the canyon!)

The river by the campsite

The boys on a rock near the river

Corey on a rock near the river

warming up by the fire after Westley fell in the river

Inside the tent

I hope that next year they actually get to go on the REAL father-sons campout and that it's not postponed all summer like this year and that they actually really have one.  The boys look forward to it every year.  But I'm glad that we were able to come up with an alternative on such short notice!  They had a good time.  And just think, in a couple of years, Corey can take ALL the boys!

Piano Recital

Over the summer, I taught the four older kids piano lessons, even down to Eliza. We had lessons every day (each child had a day) and we did them weekly. They had a practice chart that they filled out. The kids really took off with piano lessons this summer and were excited about learning it and practicing it. I wish I could give tips on what I did to make it so, but I really have no idea why they decided to suddenly love it and want to practice! At the end of the summer, the kids decided to put on a recital for Corey and me. Westley organized it and planned it and they all decided to dress up for it. He made invitations and programs and then he was the emcee. The kids all did a wonderful job and it was fun to watch how excited they were to perform their pieces.

Even Jonah wanted a turn at the piano!

School Starts!

School started the last week of August. Westley and Caleb started 4th and 2nd grade, respectively. Kindergarten didn't start until September 6th because they had kindergarten testing the first week. So Travis started later than the older boys.

I love how my boys are best friends with each other. They have lunch and recess that overlap and they play together at their recess. I think it's great. 

Travis on his first day.